Log In Register
R Berman UNITED STATES
Member Since January 2018
1813 Artworks | Watched by 69

Micronauts #26 (1981) pages 12 and 14: Marionette and Rann, on the wing

141  Views  -  16  Comments  -  21  Likes

Additional Images

Page 12 back
Artwork Details
Location: Marvel 1978-1987 pages: The Shooter years
Title: Micronauts #26 (1981) pages 12 and 14: Marionette and Rann, on the wing*
Artist:  Pat Broderick (Penciller) ,  Armando Gil (Inker)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Interior Page
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 141
Likes on CAF: 21
Favorited on CAF: 1
Comments: 16
Added to Site: 6/13/2026

Share This Artwork
Description

My comic collection began on Christmas Morning 1980 with three books in a stocking. One of them was Micronauts #26, featuring S.H.I.E.L.D. vs Hydra and the return of Baron Karza. I had not a clue who any of these characters were, but the heroes had a giant helicopter bathtub, and everybody seemed pretty shocked to see the cool looking Darth Vader guy again, so apparently he was a big deal.

To see what I had missed, I saved my pennies and bought all the back issues from a Mile High Comics centerfold ad. Naturally, my mind turned to these issues once I started collecting original art, but I quickly discovered that I was far from alone in that, so it's taken me several years to get any original art from them for my own collection.

These pages use huge panels to amp up the tension before the Karza reveal, as Arcturus and Mari race through the ESPer facility on their glider wings. Andrew Allen has a bunch of pages from this story, so go check them out here.

Page 12 had a lot of blue pencil comments along the right margin. Unfortunately, that edge was trimmed by at least a quarter inch, so only scattered letters remain. However, a black comment remains at the bottom of page 14, presumably from penciler Broderick to inker Gil: "Blacken in all areas marked with an X, and add lots of stars; use Zipatone." And sure enough, there's nifty zip on the Kirby Krackle for page 12 panel 3 and page 14 panel two, and also on Rann's haunches (which seemed to receive special attention throughout the issue) in the final panel.

The back of page 12 has what appears to be practice lettering by Joe Rosen, either to get "into the zone" or to get the ink flowing freely from his pen/brush/quill or whatever tool he used.

Note the frequent use of italics for special words: ESPer unit, Psionic flash-field, brain-blasted, etc.

These pages were featured on the CAF Update for June 25, 2026.

About The Owner

Thank You For Supporting CAF!
R Berman ( 3 )
Badges: Premium Gallery Owner
Member Since: January 2018
Last Login: July 2026
Country: UNITED STATES
On CAF:
R's Want List
Artworks Commented On
Liked Art
Site Activity

Read More About R Berman
Contact R Berman

Login or register for an account to email the owner of this artwork.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.
Eric B Member Since 2014
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

One of my favorite sequences from the entire series. And you're right about the effectiveness of the big spread, because I remember the tension building as I read these pages and begin to figure out what – or who – was about to happen. Huge congrats on this awesome piece!

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
2    
Posted On 6/13/2026

This was better drawn Sci-fi of the time than even the popular Star War comic.  It's mind blowing artwork that made Broderick a star throughout the 80's.

Jim Warden Member Since 2003
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Congratulations on acquiring these terrific pages that came from such an important comic in your collecting history! 

I always enjoyed Pat Broderick's artwork and Armondo Gil's inks mesh wonderfully with Pat's pencils.  (Plus, it's always nice to see the lush black inks on Pat's pages rather than the often faded purple marker inks when Pat inked his own work!)

Ruben DaCollector Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Congrats on getting art from a childhood favourite, Robert. What a beautiful set as well!

2    
Posted On 6/13/2026

wow robert, if this was in auction, i missed it, beautiful dps, major congrats on this one, wow!!

R Berman Member Since 2018
2    
Posted On 6/13/2026

thomas derrick aka #1marvelfan wrote:
" wow robert, if this was in auction, i missed it, beautiful dps, major congrats on this one, wow!! "

It was part of an estate auction earlier this year, but not one one of the usual auction sites. Seemed like a "now or never" moment.

Andrew Allen Member Since 2007
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

R Berman wrote:
" It was part of an estate auction earlier this year, but not one one of the usual auction sites. Seemed like a "now or never" moment. "

::raises eyebrow::

Kavi H Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

The Broderick and Gil artwork is really nice! I know as much about Micronauts in 2026 as you did Christmas of 1980 but I know good artwork when I see it lol. Awesome pages and congrats on finally obtaining them (and through an off the beaten path opportune situation you shared in the comment section, which is the best way!). 

R Berman Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Kavi H wrote:
" The Broderick and Gil artwork is really nice! I know as much about Micronauts in 2026 as you did Christmas of 1980 but I know good artwork when I see it lol. Awesome pages and congrats on finally obtaining them (and through an off the beaten path opportune situation you shared in the comment section, which is the best way!).  "

The first twelve issues in particular were an unofficial maxi-series by Michael Golden and Bill Mantlo. Like ROM, they rose above their "toy adaption" origin are well worth reading, drawing from some of the same pulp material that jack Kirby and George Lucas mined.

After that, the stories were less compelling, but the art was generally outstanding, as seen here. Other contributors include Gil Kane, Howard Chaykin, and Jackson Guice.

Like ROM, the series ended when Marvel's rights lapsed. They reacquired them in 2024 long enough to publish an omnibus, available here.

J.  Lim Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Beautiful DPS and congrats on getting something very meaningful to you

Toni S Member Since 2019
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

It can't be better! Those inks are INSANE! As good as it gets! Hats off on this one man!!!

Rom 2814 Member Since 2021
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Congratulations - amazing addition to your collection!

Micronauts was one of my favorite series (alongside Rom, so I guess I was a sucker either for toy-based comics or Bill Mantlo's writing!).

The pages feel so kinetic, and loved how Broderick drew Commander Rann!

Miki Annamanthadoo Member Since 2003
1    
Posted On 6/13/2026

Great DPS! Congrats!

Michael  McIsaac Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 6/14/2026

Getting pages from the first comic books you got as a kid is, in my opinion, the greatest feeling a person can have as an original comic book art collector.  It's the ultimate reminder of why we love comics!  

Rick W Member Since 2017
1    
Posted On 6/14/2026

Terrific pair of pages!

West Stephan Member Since 2007
1    
Posted On 6/15/2026

2 amazing pages with great inking! ~Congratulations!

You must be logged in to make comments.